Its 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbo engine, equipped with F1-developed DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) cam followers, direct injection and VVT, feeds 200 hp at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm between 1,750 and 5,600 rpm to the front wheels via a six-speed dry-clutch EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) gearbox. Yup, no more manual, but the century sprint is still achieved in 6.7 seconds, while top speed is a heady 230 km/h.

With its front bumper-mounted LED DRLs, striking 205/45 R17 alloys, sill extensions and hidden rear door handles, the five-door pocket rocket looks a treat. The F1-style front blade, a Renault Sport hallmark, sits atop a lip spoiler that is responsible for 20% of the extra downforce generated; the remaining 80% coming from the rear diffuser, which holds twin tailpipes.

The cockpit boasts red highlights on the seat belts, gauge needles, stitching, door panel beading, steering wheel and gear knob. The instrument panel layout comprises a digital speedo bridging a rev counter on the left and fuel gauge on the right. Keyless entry and start (still gotta stick the card into a slot, though), rain and light sensors, plus cruise control with speed limiter are standard.

A seven-inch touch-screen incorporates TomTom navigation, Bluetooth, audio streaming and Renault R-Link connectivity. An RS Sound Pipe brings engine sounds into the cabin, while an interesting app called R-Sound Effect offers a choice of seven engine sounds piped through the car’s speakers. So you can ask your Clio RS to sing like an Alpine A110, Renault 8 Gordini or even a Nissan GT-R!

Recording and analysing your driving behaviour is RS Monitor 2.0. Touted as the most comprehensive on-board telemetry system on a production car, it provides performance data, g-force diagrams, power and torque curves, graphic displays of the EDC internals, a stopwatch and data logging.

Also on are Launch Control and Hydraulic Compression Control, the latter incorporating a secondary damper within the main damper unit. An electronic limited-slip diff fights understeer by braking either the inside or outside front wheel (as opposed to cutting engine power). The car has lapped Sepang in 2 minutes 48 seconds at the hands of Singaporean racing driver Denis Lian.

The car gets the tamer Sport chassis (not the Cup, which is 3.0 mm lower, 15% stiffer and offers a quicker steering rack). We’re told a higher-spec Trophy version will be introduced later as a limited edition. As for the standard Clio TCe 120, that could arrive towards year-end.

Fully imported from Dieppe, France, the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC is priced at RM172,888, OTR with insurance. Included is a three-year/100,000 km warranty.

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

The guy in green is one of the F1 driver so i guess it gives the justification. to b frank, i dont like the idea of placing girls to boost up the image..its the car which shall make the difference huhuh

Tat torque is quite interesting but the price 172k is abit expensive i must say.. Yeah it’s a RS version but look at the price of 208 GTi and Fiesta ST…
and the rim is not good looking as well..
The Megane Cup RS seems like a better choice..

Good question! The Fiesta ST is not here yet and it has an “indicative price” of 150-160k.
The Polo GTI is an option too.
The DCT is not really an issue, it’s the way of the future. Along with downsized turbo-charged engines. Car makers will sort out the gearbox conundrum, wet, dry, whatever. The old torque converters will soon be replaced, leaving us with either manuals (rare), or DCTs. Lower spec/Econ biased models will also get CVTs.
Anyway, my problem with current hot hatches is that they are all front wheel drive (BMW 1 series exempted…for now) with too much power going to the driven wheels. Coupled with a typically heavy front engine layout, there’s too much weight on the front axle. Audi n VW have done a good job eliminating torque steer in their FF cars, but it still corrupts the driving experience. Their AWD cars, with exceptions, don’t seem to hit the sweet spot either.
So, to answer your question, I’d probably choose the Pug on the price and looks alone, plus I’d like a manual tranny.
However, anyone on this blog wanna sell a used BMW 130i… Willing buyer here:-)

disagree..its about the companies who is representing them in malaysia who should be blamed..look at VW..how they have failed even being not french..honda after sales sucks too…tanchong for me seemed ok so far..same with sime darby..so still we can reply on local giants for after sales…so its nothing to do with french …btw i drive a gti also sucks…

You can either post as a guest or have an option to register. Among the advantages of registering is once a name has been registered, a guest cannot post using that name. If you have an account, please login before commenting. If you wish to have a profile photo next to your name, register at Gravatar using the same e-mail address you use to comment.